EXCITED Tonbridge residents believe a US presidential hopeful's family connections with the town may help turn it into an international tourist destination.

Republican politician Mitt Romney, 64, who is leading the race for the right to challenge Barack Obama for the presidency this autumn, was this week revealed as being descended from a 16th century Tonbridge resident.

Research carried out by an American journalist has identified a man named simply as "Mr Romney" in birth records as the first recorded ancestor of the multi-millionaire venture capitalist.

While the Courier could not locate a reference to his birth in 1555, it is clear that generations of Romneys lived in Tonbridge until the mid 17th century.

The third in a succession of men named George Romney (born in 1584, 1616 and 1642) then moved the family to Lancashire.

In the 18th century another direct descendent, also named George Romney, became a celebrated portrait artist who is now celebrated in the name of north Tonbridge street Romney Way.

Tonbridge and Malling borough councillor Vivian Branson told the Courier she hoped the revelation – helped by strong local connections to author Jane Austen – would boost the town's international profile if Mitt Romney made it all the way to the White House.

The Longmead Way resident said: "I think it's thrilling. Anything that brings people into our lovely town of Tonbridge with all its history is absolutely wonderful.

"The Jane Austen Society of North America is already coming to Tonbridge in July as we have a terrific history of the Austen family here. This is another good reason for people to pay us a visit."

She added: "Most American presidents tend to trace their roots, so it would be wonderful to welcome the most powerful man in the world here."

Austen's father was born and educated in Tonbridge and her grandparents are buried at the parish church.

Janice Browne, of the Tonbridge Civic Society, was equally excited at the prospect of another famous connection.

She said: "If he was elected president of the United States it will be of interest, as the Kennedys and the Clintons and many others have looked across to where their forebears came from.

"The town would get publicised which, of course, is a good thing. Hopefully Americans visiting Knole and Hever might visit Tonbridge as well."

Former Massachusetts state governor Mr Romney is the son of a former Michigan state governor, also named George Romney.

Much of the media attention surrounding his competition with Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul in the presidential race has focused on his ancestral heritage, albeit that part of the family with connections to Mexico.